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Many of us do not need a reason to purchase a steam shower enclosure for our own home, as there are already many obvious explanations including health and relaxation benefits. One reason that may have already been overlooked by yourself and many others is how much financial gain you can get from installing a steam shower in your home. According to real estate experts, individuals who install steam showers or saunas can expect to gain back at least 5 times what you initially paid for it, increasing the overall value of your home.

The Cascade Duo – A popular 1200mm x 900mm corner model

In addition to this, having a steam shower or private home sauna immediately makes your home unique and compelling to buy. Luxury additions such as these are considered just that – Luxurious. If a potential buyer finds themselves torn between your home and another with very similar price tags, the inclusion of a sauna or steam room may be the exact thing that sways them towards you. Not only does it increase the overall value of your home, you improve the chances of selling your home quicker.

A typical freestanding steam shower enclosure combines standard showering features such as a shower head, with the added benefit of a steam generator. Users can then enjoy a 30 minute steam session followed by a cold invigorating shower to wash away all the toxins – All in the same space. There is no need to allocate the steam generator at another point in the house, as typically they are built onto the back of the unit itself. This results in a straightforward installation that’s completed at a fraction of the cost of a wet room.

Unlike a wet room, you dont’ need to worry about creating a water resistant enclosed area, inclusive of membrane and selective tiling. Furthermore, you need to ensure your door system is air tight to ensure that water and steam alike stays in the room. Creating a waterproof membrane can be quite costly, especially if not done correctly in the first place.

If you’re looking to add instant proven value to your home, consider the option of a steam shower enclosure when upgrading your bathroom. You’ll be benefitting both your body and your wallet.

We all know that all the sugary goodness made widely available to us in supermarkets across the globe isn’t good for us. The majority of us however, have no idea that some of our staple supplies that make their way into our refrigerators and store cupboards can actually harm you when consumed in large quantities or consumed within certain conditions. Here are the Healthy Hideout top ten toxic foods we know & love;

Chillies – Known for their heat and fire, many of us add chillies to our food for an extra kick. Chillies contain a chemical called “Capsaicin” which is what causes the spicy kick you either love or hate, but eat too much of it and your body can suffer. Stomach pain and itchy skin are mild symptoms, but overdoing it can cause death.

Rapeseed Oil – Known for being an innocent natural oil, reports have shown that the rape plant from which is oil is produced from is in fact extremely toxic. Excessive consumption of the oil could cause respiratory problems and blindness.

Rice – Known for many health benefits, rice is best eaten in moderation due to reportedly high levels of arsenic. One study showed that almost one in five packs of American long-grain rice contained potentially harmful levels of the toxic substance. However, as a staple carbohydrate in most of Asia, the toxicity of this particular food is debatable.

Nutmeg – The common store bought spice is perhaps one of the most dangerous foods on the list. Although it carries many health benefits when taken in small moderation, large consumption can cause hallucinations, convulsions or even nausea due to the toxin “myristicin” found in the spice.

Non-organic fruit – Although it’s difficult for many of us to keep buying organic, fruit that’s mass produced can contain a high concentration of pesticides dangerous to the health. Apples are one of the fruits that top the list, as they are vulnerable to serious infestation. To prevent this, growers tend to “coat” the fruit in pesticides which can be absorbed into the flesh of the fruit.

Mass farmed Salmon – A study has shown that 13 different toxins were found in higher concentration in farmed salmon when compared to wild salmon. These toxins can pose potential health risks, so it may be a good idea to reduce the amount of mass farmed salmon you consume and switch to a more naturally caught salmon.

Mushrooms – Although they may seem harmless when being sold by many supermarkets across the board, did you know that there are around 100 species of mushroom that are dangerous to humans causing headaches, sickness and even death. Be wise in what you buy, and ensure that you don’t attempt wild mushroom picking without a professional.

Peanuts – Common for their allergens, peanuts can be toxic due to susceptibility to mould and the occurrence of a high toxic carcinogen known as Aflatoxin. Be sure to buy your peanuts from responsibility sourced areas and avoid snacking on them regularly.

Potatoes – For many of us, we didn’t want to see this one on the list as so many are consumed every year by each and every one of us. Potatoes actually reside from the same plant family as the deadly nightshade. Avoid potatoes that have turned green, or ones that have sprouted. These tend to have a higher concentration of “glycoalkaloids” which can cause negative effects on the nervous and digestive system.

Microwavable popcorn – A great treat for all us when settling down to the latest Blu-Ray in our home cinemas, butter flavoured versions have been shown to contain a chemical known as “diacetyl”, which releases toxic fumes when microwaved. At present, only factory workers are being affected but be weary when choosing your next flavour!

Definitely a list not to be taken lightly, it’s important to not let maintaining a healthy lifestyle a chore. Be sure to enjoy yourselves thoroughly whilst be weary of what your eating!

Keeping your heart healthy is time and effort invested well. We don’t have to stress how important is it to protect your heart the way nature intended. It doesn’t have to be a long list of major lifestyle changes either, a simple walk after dinner or changing ice cream for an apple as pudding can have massive long term benefits.

Here are the Healthy Hideout’s top 6 tips to keeping your heart healthy:

Small Changes = Big Results

Simple diet changes can cut your cholesterol by up to 30 per cent. A 5 minute weight-training workout can replace up to 10 years of lost or damaged muscle tissue. You don’t have to invest in endless amounts of equipment – Simply use what you have around the house. Why not try a bag filled with books as a simple weight lift.

Don’t be a couch potato

Recent studies have shown that 38% of Britons are getting less than 30 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Our bodies are built for daily activity, so it’s important to get out and about at least once a day. Why not try going for a stroll in the evening rather than sitting in front of the television. Try it for one month and feel the difference – you’ll be one more step away from & the need for coronary artery bypass surgery!

Keep track of stats

If you want to be sure that your making progress, keep track of all the important information such as your weight and waist diameter. It may seem like something you can “remember” but make note of each night before you go to bed – It takes less than 30 seconds to do.

Avoid Toxins

It may seem obvious but try to cut out anything that’s going to have negative effects on your body. This includes avoiding tobacco, trans fats and excessive sugar, as well as environmental pollutants – All these things wreak havoc with our hearts. Don’t turn your body into a hazardous waste dump!

Smile & Be Happy

Many studies support the questionable fact that being aggressive, holding grudges and impatience are traits that can be linked to having an unhealthy heart. Furthermore, socialising with friends, being quick to forgive and keeping a positive attitude have all been linked to having a healthy heart. If your not stressed, neither is your heart.

Start your quest for a happy heart today and what changes you can make.

As we’ve already mentioned one of the hardest detoxes of all can be found in our Lemon Detox article. We thought we’d now take a look at something that sits middle of the range. Although not straight forward, colonic irrigation is seen to be a valuable way to kick start yourself into a full health overhaul, when coupled with a drastic diet change and exercise regime.

What does colonic hydro therapy do?

Keeping a healthy colon is extremely important for general good health and well being, but the delicate balance of the organ can be affected by many contributing factors such as stress, pollution, sugary drinks, processed food, smoking and even certain medicines. Roger Groos, Chairman of the Association & Register of Colon Hydrotherapists explains how there is significant anecdotal evidence that colonic irrigation can improve bowel transit time, alcohol detoxification and help to relieve constipation related headaches.

How do colonic’s work?

Not all of us enjoy the idea or practical issues related to a colonic, but it’s important that you step out of your comfort zone if you want to achieve true results. The basic concept is to pass warm water at a low pressure through the colonic pipes via sterile pipes – bearing in mind our colon is around five feet long! This is then followed by a massage, removing any waste material trapped in the colon. The entire process can last from anything between 30 – 45 minutes depending on how quick you are.

Are colonic’s painful?

The detox creates a sense of “bloatedness” rather than feeling discomfort or pain, and many who’ve already completed the process say that the results are almost immediate. “Those who have had the treatment often comment they feel healthier and lighter, which may be linked to the removal of the leftover waste” states Groos. Of course, the rate of improvement will drastically depend on how much detoxing you’ve done in the past, and how many toxins you’ve got trapped inside you.

If like many of us this is your first true detox, you may be shocked and pleasantly surprised by the results. Will you be heading to your local spa this weekend, or perhaps your local pharmacy for a home kit?

Each day the food that we eat and the air that we breathe causes a build up of toxins inside the body, causing many of us to feel tired, lethargic and unhealthy throughout. Many health experts believe the toxins we take in are a primary cause of many health illnesses, pains and disease.

How do I get started?

Taking the above into account, many of us are making detoxing part of our regular routines, rather than just an annual event. Founder of BeautifulBreak, a detox food, states “More than ever, people want to cleanse their bodies through detox treatments to prevent obesity, diabetes and even cancer.”

First and foremost, in order to detox you must learn to prevent the build up of toxins. Here are some top tips that must not be ignored:

Avoid smoking entirely – This requires no further explanation!

Limit the amount of alcoholic units you intake or cut them off completely.

Avoid coffee, saturated fats and refined sugary foods!

Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables that are high in anti-oxidants and free of pesticides

Why is detoxing so important?

Serious detoxers tend to point towards colonic therapy, helping to expel toxins directly from the inside body. Herbal enemas and fasting with special herbal tea based drinks are also popular methods. In the US, it has been known that 3% -grade hydrogen peroxide ozonated water is popular for extreme detox whilst popular celebrity Beyonce Knowles turns to a master cleanse diet of hot water, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Extreme for some I’m sure!

So why bother with detoxing? In short detoxing helps to keep your body working like a well oiled machine, helping vital organs work more efficiently. Detoxing naturally helps us keep a healthy weight whilst putting life back into dulling skin, hair and nails. The above methods may seem a little extreme, so why not get started with a more gentler approach.

Start your detox today!

Anyone looking for a gentle introduction into detoxification can get started by increasing their cardiovascular exercise, sweating your toxins out using a steam cabin or sauna, or by booking yourself in for a lymph-circulating body massage. It is important to note that these treatments will leave you feeling dehydrated and thirsty, so drink plenty of water during and afterwards.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at some popular detox methods used around the world so be sure to bookmark us and come back!